DOCSLIB.ORG

The Great Commission in the Context of the Evangelical Churches of Croatia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Great Commission in the Context of the Evangelical Churches of Croatia S. Jambrek: The Great Commission in the Context of the Evangelical Churches of Croatia The Great Commission in the Context of the Evangelical Churches of Croatia in the Second Part of the Twentieth Century Stanko JAMBREK Bible Institute, Zagreb [email protected] UDK: 266 Original scientific paper Received: August, 2008. Accepted: October, 2008. Abstract This study deals with the biblical basis of the Great Commission and its reception in the evangelical churches of Croatia, in a global and local context. It offers a concise review of the fulfillment of the Great Com- mission in certain areas of work in the evangelical churches, among oth- ers, in planting churches, in the gestation of new denominations and in mission effectuation. Foundational issues that appear in its actualiza- tion are perviewed in the paper, and answers are indicated concerning the relationship between evangelism and social activity, evangelization of nominal Christians and proselytism. Key words: church, gospel, evangelism, Christians, commission, pros- elytism Introduction The Great Commission is Jesus’ command to Christians to proclaim the gospel and make the nations his disciples. It is written in all four gospels (Matt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16; Lk 24:46-49; Jn 20:21-22) and in the book of Acts (Acts 1:8). The Great Commission is an appointment to proclaim the gospel to every creature, a command toward a movement of evangelizing the world, a divine authorization to be Christ’s ambassadors to every nation (Peters, 1996:178). 153 KAIROS - Evangelical Journal of Theology / Vol. II. No. 2 (2008), pp. 153-179 In the evangelical churches of Croatia, 1 numerous sermons, conference pre- sentations, persuasive arguments and exhortations have been offered regarding the Great Commission from a biblical perspective. There are conference invita- tions and rare reports about it, found in the magazines of certain denominations as partial testimonies and fractional written traits. 2 During 1970’s and 1980’s, the magazines Glas evanđelja (The Voice of the Gospel) published by the Baptist print- ing house, Duhovna stvarnost, and Izvori, Magazine for Spiritual Life published by the Evangelical Pentecostal Church, printed articles of exhortation about the Great Commission, evangelism and faith awakenings throughout the world. In 1983, Peter MacKenzie had prepared a script, Misija (Mission), which served for years as a textbook for the students of theology at the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Osijek and as a textbook for the education of the believers of local churches. In 1996, EBI – Hrvatska (Evangelical Bible Institute – Croatia) and Baptistička Misija Hrvatske (Baptist Mission in Croatia) translated and edited the book Biblijska teologija misija (A Biblical Theology of Missions) by George W. Pe- ters, and Put života (Way of Life) in Zagreb, translated and edited the book Veliki nalog (The Great Commission) by Oswald J. Smith. The magazine, Duhovno vrelo (Spiritual Wellsprings), dedicated its eleventh issue (Autumn/Winter, 2007) to the Great Commission. In his doctoral dissertation, Toward an Evangelical Theology of Humanitarian Aid Ministry (2007), Antal Balog deals with evangelism and the social responsibility of the evangelical churches, among other topics. 1 The basic characteristics of the evangelical churches, a historical review and theological thought are displayed in the books Crkve reformacijske baštine u Hrvatskoj [Churches of Reformation Heri- tage in Croatia] (Jambrek, 2003) and Leksikon evanđeoskoga kršćanstva [Dictionary of Evangelical Christianity] (Jambrek, 2007). The following are included among evangelical churches: Evanđeoska pentekostna crkva [Evangelical Pentecostal Church], Savez baptističkih crkava [Union of Baptist Churches], Vijeće Kristovih crkava [Council of Churches of Christ], Savez Kristovih pentekostnih crkava [Union of Christ Pentecostal Churches], Crkva Božja [Church of God], Savez crkava “Riječ Života” [Union of Word of Life Churches] and some small denominations and independent local Christian communities. 2 Toward the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century, there were four magazines published in Croatia. In the Evangelical Pentecostal Church, two magazines were issued: Izvori, časopis za duhovni život, which for more than 40 years has brought national and foreign articles for the encouragement of believers to live on the biblical foundations in the power of the Holy Spirit, and Duhovno vrelo, a magazine that offers a number of theological articles, mostly translated from the American magazine Enrichment, intended for pastors and spiritual workers. Within the Union of the Baptist Churches in Croatia, an evangelistically focused magazine Glas Evanđelja was published for several decades, which ceased to be printed in 1997, after being published irregularly for some time. Since 1996, UBC has issued a magazine called Glas crkve in which, along with a few, mostly national articles, publishes news about the events in the Union. The Union of Word of Life Churches sporadically issues a magazine, Karizma, in which articles of national and mostly foreign authors are published, as well as news about events in its churches. 154 S. Jambrek: The Great Commission in the Context of the Evangelical Churches of Croatia Evangelical Christians 3 and evangelism have always been bracketed to the point that the adjectives “evangelical” and “evangelistic” have often been identi- fied in the popular mind (Stott, 1982). It is already common in Croatia to call Evangelical Christians “evangelists” because of their frequent practice of public and personal evangelism. For the Evangelical Christians of Croatia, the Great Commission is a charge to proclaim the gospel, which involves preaching the good news, witnessing from a personal experience and relationship with God, effectively loving one’s neigh- bor by the power of the Holy Spirit, and journeying through the process of dis- cipleship and growth into becoming a church. 1. Biblical Basis for the Great Commission The task of evangelizing the world as given by the Lord Jesus Christ to his dis- ciples is written in all four gospels (Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:14-18; Lk 24:46-49; Jn 20:21-22) and in the book of Acts (Ac 1:8), and is especially emphasized in the gospel as written by Matthew: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Mt 28:18-20). These words of Jesus contain three inseparable entities: the declaration of Christ’s authority, the command to make disciples, and the promise of Jesus’ presence with the disciples. 1.1. Declaration of Christ’s Authority: All Authority in Heaven and on Earth Has Been Given to Me. The Great Commission begins with Jesus’ declaration: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. By receiving all power in heaven and earth, 3 The adjective evanđeoski (evangelical) often creates misunderstandings. The term evanđeoski kršćanin (Evangelical Christian) includes every Christian who bases his/her belief and action on the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the term Evanđeoska crkva (Evangelical Church, or churches), the adjective evanđeoski (Evangelical) comes alongside the term church to point out that the church mentioned here (or churches) bases its preaching on the gospel (Croatian evanđelje, Greek euan- gelion). The usage of the adjective evanđeoska (Evangelical) emphasizes the central role of Jesus Christ, grace, faith and the Holy Scripture in the beliefs and actions of the church (see Jambrek, 2003:17-19). 155 KAIROS - Evangelical Journal of Theology / Vol. II. No. 2 (2008), pp. 153-179 Jesus confirmed that he is Lord over all; everything must submit to him because all heavenly resources are available to him. “This statement is not only a Chris- tological/cosmological declaration befitting Phil 2:9-11 (“God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name . that at the name . every knee should bow in heaven and on earth” RSV); it is also a statement of fulfilled prophecy (“to him was given dominion and glory and kingship” Dan 7:14, NRSV), and most assur- edly it is a foundational word for all that is to follow. It is the objective basis for the mission” (Day, 2007:378). This statement of Jesus is the basis for Christian witness, evangelism, mission and overall activities. The disciples are not to do the task in their own strength, wisdom and power, but in Christ’s authority and power which he gave to them and behind which he himself stands as the almighty Lord above all. It is worthwhile to note that Jesus specifically prepared his disciples for ac- cepting his authority and acting in him. “He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. … These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: … preach this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give” (Mt 10:1-15; Lk 9:1-6; 10:1-20). Through discipleship and teaching them for three years, he taught them how to preach the good news, proclaim the kingdom of God, make disciples, heal the sick, cast out evil spirits, raise the dead, deliver the captives, feed the hungry and correct those who were in the wrong. He taught them to proclaim the gospel in different life circumstances and concrete situations. In that process of learning, they returned to Jesus full of joy and reported: “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name” (Lk 10:17). They learned how to use his authority in life’s daily, often colliding, situations. They saw Jesus using his authority in conflict with the advocates of the Jewish traditions, in conflict with the Pharisees and the govern- ment authorities.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • "The Great Commission from Calvin to Carey," Evangel 14:2
    MISSION MISSION MISSION The Great Commission from Calvin to Carey R. E. DAVIES Just over two hundred years ago the Baptist, William Martin Bucer, the Strasbourg Reformer is con­ Carey, after repeated efforts was finally successful in cerned that ministers and elders should 'seek the lost', stirring up his fellow Baptists to do something about but by this he means those non-believers who attend world missions. He preached, argued, wrote, and the local church. Thus he says: eventually went as the first missionary of the newly­ formed Baptist Missionary Society. Very soon other What Christians in general and the civil authorities similar societies were formed-the London Missionary neglect to do with respect to seeking the lost lambs, Society and the Church Missionary Society being the this the elders of the Church shall undertake to first among many. make good in every possible way. And though they It seems an amazing fact that, although the Protestant do not have an apostolic call and command to go Reformation had begun nearly three hundred years to strange nations, yet they shall not in their several previously, Protestants by-and-large had not involved churches ... permit anyone who is not associated with the congregation of Christ to be lost in error themselves in the task of world evangelization. There 2 were exceptions, as we shall see, but in general this (Emphasis added). remains true. Calvin in his comments on Matthew 28 in his Harmony There were a number of reasons for this, some of the Four Evangelists says nothing one way or the valid, others less so, but one main reason for Protestant other on the applicability of the Great Commission to inaction was the widespread view that the Great the church of his own day.
    [Show full text]
  • Soteriology 1 Soteriology
    Soteriology 1 Soteriology OVERVIEW 2 Sin and Salvation 2 The Gospel 3 Three broad aspects 4 Justification 4 Sanctification 5 Glorification 6 ATONEMENT 6 General Results 6 Old Testament Background 6 Sacrifice of Jesus 7 Atonement Theories 9 Extent of the Atonement 10 Synthesis 11 FAITH AND GRACE 13 Types of Faith 13 Christian concept of Faith 14 Rev. J. Wesley Evans Soteriology 2 Grace 15 Nature of Grace 15 Types of Grace 15 Sufficient and Efficacious 15 General effects of Grace (acc. to Aquinas II.I.111.3) 16 THE SALVATION PROCESS 16 Overview Sin and Salvation General Principal: The nature of the problem determines the nature of the solution Problem (Sin related issues) Solution (Salvation) Broken relationship with God Reconciliation and Adoption Death of the Soul (Original Sin) Soul regenerated, allowing the will to seek God Humans under God’s judgment Promise of forgiveness and mercy Corruption of the world, broken Future New Creation relationship with the natural world Evil and unjust human systems Future inauguration of the Kingdom of God Temptation of Satan and fallen angels Future judgment on evil The list above of the sacraments is my own speculation, it seems to “fit” at this point. Rev. J. Wesley Evans Soteriology 3 The Gospel Mark 1:1 The beginning of the good news [ euvaggeli,ou ] of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Luke 9:6 They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news [euvaggelizo,menoi ] and curing diseases everywhere. Acts 5:42 And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim [ euvaggelizo,menoi ] Jesus as the Messiah.
    [Show full text]
  • Great Commission’ and the Tendency of Wesley’S Speech About God the Father
    “THE PECULIAR BUSINESS OF AN APOSTLE” The ‘Great Commission’ and the Tendency of Wesley’s Speech about God the Father D. Lyle Dabney Marquette University Written for the Systematic Theology Working Group of the Twelfth Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies meeting at Christ Church College, Oxford, England August 12-21, 2007 In focusing the general call concerning papers for this working group, Craig Keen and Sarah Lancaster began by instructing us to attend to the ecclesiological significance and broader theological ramifications of the calling and mission of the church, which the Creed of Nicea describes not only as ‘one, holy, [and]catholic,’ but also as ‘apostolic.’ We ask in particular that members of this working group consider the Great Commission that closes the Gospel of Matthew. In sum, our conveners have asked us to concentrate our work on the character of the Christian community as ‘apostolic,’ i.e., as defined by the mission of word and deed that Christ has bequeathed to his disciples. Following those instructions, let me introduce my topic with the familiar words of the Great Commission to which they refer, and of the pericope that gives it context. Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.
    [Show full text]
  • From Nominal to Radical Discipleship: One Church’S Approach to Disciple Making
    FROM NOMINAL TO RADICAL DISCIPLESHIP: ONE CHURCH’S APPROACH TO DISCIPLE MAKING WAYNE BERK WALTERS A DISSERTATION Submitted to the Ph.D. in Leadership & Change Program of Antioch University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy May, 2011 Signature Page This is to certify that the dissertation entitled: FROM NOMINAL TO RADICAL DISCIPLESHIP: ONE CHURCH’S APPROACH TO DISCIPLE MAKING prepared by Wayne Berk Walters is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership and Change. Approved by: __________________________________________________ __________________ Carolyn Kenny, Ph.D., Chair date __________________________________________________ __________________ Philomena Essed, Ph.D., Committee Member date __________________________________________________ __________________ Joel Green, Ph.D., Committee Member date __________________________________________________ __________________ Donald Polkinghorne, Ph.D., External Reader date Copyright 2011 Wayne Walters All rights reserved Acknowledgements I wish to thank my chairperson, Dr. Carolyn Kenny, who guided me with gentle but instructive help along the journey of research and writing my dissertation. I also wish to thank my committee members, Dr. Philomena Essed, Dr. Joel Green, and Dr. Don Polkinghorne for their suggestions for improvements and for their support in this part of my journey in both this degree program and as I seek to continually better understand my role as a Christian and as a pastor. Most of all I wish to thank my wife, Christine Walters, for her consistent support and encouragement, and my children, Brenna, Christopher, Eric, and Joshua who found ways to take care of themselves as I had my head in books or was writing yet another chapter.
    [Show full text]
  • A Historical Overview of the Impact of the Reformation on East Asia Christina Han
    Consensus Volume 38 Issue 1 Reformation: Then, Now, and Onward. Varied Article 4 Voices, Insightful Interpretations 11-25-2017 A Historical Overview of the Impact of the Reformation on East Asia Christina Han Follow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus Part of the Chinese Studies Commons, History of Christianity Commons, Japanese Studies Commons, Korean Studies Commons, and the Missions and World Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Han, Christina (2017) "A Historical Overview of the Impact of the Reformation on East Asia," Consensus: Vol. 38 : Iss. 1 , Article 4. Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol38/iss1/4 This Articles is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by an authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Han: Reformation in East Asia A Historical Overview of the Impact of the Reformation on East Asia Christina Han1 The Reformation 500 Jubilee and the Shadow of the Past he celebratory mood is high throughout the world as we approach the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Themed festivals and tours, special services and T conferences have been organized to commemorate Martin Luther and his legacy. The jubilee Luther 2017, planned and sponsored the federal and municipal governments of Germany and participated by churches and communities in Germany and beyond, lays out the goals of the events as follows: While celebrations in earlier centuries were kept national and confessional, the upcoming anniversary of the Revolution ought to be shaped by openness, freedom and ecumenism.
    [Show full text]
  • THE BIBLE VISION a Bimonthly Journal Reflecting the Light of the Bible on Us and Our Times
    Taylor University Pillars at Taylor University TUFW Alumni Publications Publications for TUFW and Predecessors 4-1-1945 The iB ble Vision Fort Wayne Bible Institute Follow this and additional works at: https://pillars.taylor.edu/tufw-alumni-publications Part of the Higher Education Commons Recommended Citation Fort Wayne Bible Institute, "The iB ble Vision" (1945). TUFW Alumni Publications. 159. https://pillars.taylor.edu/tufw-alumni-publications/159 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Publications for TUFW and Predecessors at Pillars at Taylor University. It has been accepted for inclusion in TUFW Alumni Publications by an authorized administrator of Pillars at Taylor University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. %edSiMe^jM^ ArniL MAY. '45 CONTENTS Editorials Loyal R. Ringenberg The Bottleneck of Spiritual Revival The Way of Spiritual Recovery Whose Business Is It? The Hereditary Harvest of Sin The Blessing of a Godly Heritage Christianity and Womanhood The Mothers of Great Missionaries The Mother of Methodism First Principles of Praying .... B, W. Ayres Salvation V/ith Glory Canon Howett God's Wheels Mary Potts The Spirit of Power Cyril H. Eicher Children; the Hope of America, Leonard Smith As a Chaplain Sees It—With Winged Men, Safara A. Witmer Sanctification J. A. Ringenberg With the Fellowship Circle .... Luella Miller FORT WAYNE BIBLE INSTITUTE Published at. Be! THE BIBLE VISION A Bimonthly Journal Reflecting the Light of the Bible on us and our Times Vol. IX APRIL-MAY, 1.945 No. 41 Published bimonthh/ at Berne, Indiana, by THE FORT WAYNE BIBLE INSTITUTE Editor LOYAL R.
    [Show full text]
  • Is a Believer's Baptism Biblical? Stephen Baker | Contributing Writer 2021 11 Jun
    Is a Believer's Baptism Biblical? Stephen Baker | Contributing Writer 2021 11 Jun Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Evan Schneider What Is the Meaning of Credobaptism? Credobaptism is a compound word, credo meaning I believe, and baptism which means to dip or immerse. In this belief, also known as believer’s baptism, a Christian gets baptized with water after they have professed faith (belief) in Jesus Christ. In this view, baptism does not contribute to salvation in any way, but rather serves as an outward symbol of the inward reality of a believer’s salvation obtained through faith in Jesus, which includes His death and resurrection. What Is the Difference between Infant Baptism and Credobaptism? Infant baptism, also known as pedobaptism, refers to the practice of baptizing the infants of parents who believe in Jesus. In general, pedobaptists fall into two groups: The first group views baptism as a sacrament that cleanses one from their sin. Roman Catholicism is the primary proponent of this view. It is their belief baptism administers a spiritual washing that operates independently from the subject’s faith. Therefore, an infant can receive the purifying effect of baptism even though they do not yet have faith. The second group is driven by their understanding of God’s covenant people traced through the Bible (every saved person). Covenant theology, developed by John Calvin, undergirds this view. This group puts emphasis on the unity of God’s covenant relationship with His people through the whole of salvation history. There are several factors in Scripture used to support this assertion. First, there is a connection between the covenant sign of circumcision in the Old Testament (Genesis 17:10-14) and baptism in the New Testament.
    [Show full text]
  • True Christian Baptism and Communion Joseph Phipps
    Digital Commons @ George Fox University Historical Quaker Books George Fox University Libraries 1870 True Christian Baptism and Communion Joseph Phipps Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/quakerbooks Part of the Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Phipps, Joseph, "True Christian Baptism and Communion" (1870). Historical Quaker Books. Book 3. http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/quakerbooks/3 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the George Fox University Libraries at Digital Commons @ George Fox University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Historical Quaker Books by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ George Fox University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. "Si 9 Ch^ ^ TRUE CHRISTIAN BAPTISM AND COMMUNION. TRUE CHRISTIAN BAPTISM AND C O M M T J N I O I S r . BY JOSEPH PHIPPS. ■xjt«Xo<>- PHILADELPHIA: FOE SALE AT FRIEND'S BOOK STORE, No. 304 Abch Street, T K U E C H R I S T I A N BAPTISM AND COMMUNION. ON BAPTISM. OHN the Baptist was sent as a voice crying in the wilderness, to proclaim the approach of the Messiah; to point hira out, upon his personal ap pearance, to the jjeople; to preach the necessitj' of repentance for the remission of sins; and to baptize with water, as prefiguring the spiritual administration of the Saviour under the dispensation of the gospel, in baptizing with the Holy Ghost, to the purification of souls, and fitting them for an eternal inheritance with the saints in light.
    [Show full text]
  • Letters on Baptism: Christ's Great Commission and Infant Salvation the Reverend Dr
    Letters On Baptism: Christ's Great Commission and Infant Salvation The Reverend Dr. Francis Nigel Lee February 15, 2002 [unpublished] We need to look at Christ's Great Commission. Just before He gave it, covenant children (paidas) had been praising Jesus. He Himself had then insisted that God had perfected His praise -- even out of the mouth of speech-less in-fants (nepion) and unweaned babies (thelazonton). Indeed, He soon went on to assure especially the tiny children in Jerusalem that He loved them just as much as a mother hen loves her own little chickens. Soon after that, Jesus obviously included such speech-less in-fants (and other children too) -- among the God-praisers in "all the nations" to be baptized in terms of His Great Commission. For, as Isaiah predicted of Him -- "so shall He sprinkle many nations," and "He shall see His seed." Hence, Jesus commanded His Ministers: "Disciple all the nations, baptizing them!" Also as far as His infant seed is concerned, the implied teaching of Christ's Great Commission is very clearly: first, belief; and only then, baptism. Hence, declared Jesus: "he who believes and is baptized, shall be saved; but he who does not believe, shall be damned!" Of course, this means all believers (the tiny ones too), and all unbelievers (the tiny ones too). Against the views of all Baptists, we must insist upon executing the full thrust of Christ's Great Commission. For it not only permits but in fact requires that all apparent believers need to be baptized. This means not just older children and adults who profess belief, but also even all of the many tiny believers.
    [Show full text]
  • 64-Becoming a Great Commission Christian.Pub
    Becoming a Great Commission Christian by Duane L. Anderson Becoming a Great Commission Christian © Copyright 1998 Duane L. Anderson Scripture quotations in this manual are from the New King James Version, © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Some of the material in this manual is taken from the following copyrighted manuals by Duane L. Anderson New Life in the Family of Christ © 1995 by Duane L. Anderson Healing the Wounds to the human spirit © 1996 by Duane L. Anderson Small Group Leadership Training Manual © 1996 by Duane L. Anderson Developing Healthy Reproducing Christians © 1997 by Duane L. Anderson Church Planting Through Disciple Making © 1997 by Duane L. Anderson American Indian Bible Institute Box 511 Norwalk, CA 90651-0511 Becoming a Great Commission Christian I. What is our purpose? (Glorifying God) A. Developing Healthy Reproducing Christians B. Planting Godly Reproducing Churches II. What is our motivation? (Motivated by the love of Christ) A. Why many Christians minister out of fear B. How we can learn to minister out of love III. Where do we start? (Building relationships for evangelism) A. Four C’s for evangelism 1. Confrontation 2. Clarification 3. Compassion 4. Creation B. Building relationships for evangelism 1. Prepare for relationships through prayer 2. Be led by love to contacts 3. Build relationships through relationships IV. How do we begin to build spiritual families? (Building people to the body) A. Five priorities for building up new Christians - Exodus 18:19-21 1. Pray for the new Christians 2. Teach them the Word of God (growth in Biblical knowledge) 3. Show them the way to walk (growth in godly character) 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Unsaved Christian
    THE UNSAVED CHRISTIAN REACHING CULTURAL CHRISTIANITY WITH THE GOSPEL DEAN INSERRA 1 Help Them Get Lost: The Case for Reaching Cultural Christians Thinking that I deserve heaven is a sure sign I have no understanding of the gospel. —SINCLAIR FERGUSON Questions for Discussion and Reflection • Matthew 7:21–23 informs us that not every religious person will inherit the kingdom of heaven and not every religious person is known by God as an adopted member of His family. What is your gut reaction to that fact? • If someone asked you why you’re a Christian, or more specifically, how you know you’re a Christian, what would you say? • Are you tempted to put your faith in anything but the shed blood of Jesus Christ? • What is your version of “Lord, didn’t I ______?” 2 Religion without Salvation: Characteristics of Cultural Christianity Do not flatter yourselves of being good enough, because you are morally so; because you go to church, say the prayers, and take the sacrament, therefore you think no more required; alas, you are deceiving your own souls. —GEORGE WHITEFIELD Questions for Discussion and Reflection • What is the spiritual temperature of your own heart? Your own household? Your local church? Your community? • Do you live in a place where Jesus is admired but not worshiped? 3 Civic Religion: Generic Faith That Demands and Asks Nothing of Its Followers You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you. —AUGUSTINE Questions for Discussion and Reflection • The god of moral deism requires nothing and expects noth- ing of his followers.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 James 1:22-27, No. 6 November 22, 2015 the Rev. Dr. Robert S
    1 James 1:22-27, No. 6 November 22, 2015 The Rev. Dr. Robert S. Rayburn There is certainly a sense in which the verses we are about to read follow naturally upon those we considered last time insofar as James in both sections is addressing our behavior in reference to the Word of God. But then the entire book addresses our behavior in that way. It is a book of wisdom, after all. But this next section addresses the Christian life in a different way than in it was addressed vv. 19-21 and introduces a new principle of Christian wisdom. Text Comment v.22 Verse 22 is probably the best known verse in James. [Moo, 89] We’ve made a point of saying that James, like other wisdom writers, moves from subject to subject with little discernable plan. But in this case there is at least this connection between vv. 21 and 22: in the former we were challenged to “receive with meekness the implanted word” and the latter begins “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Biblical Christianity is never passive; it is always active, a life to be lived. [Tasker, 51] If you remember, the Lord pronounced his blessing on those “who hear the word of God and keep it!” [Luke 11:28] And it was Paul, in Romans 2:13 who wrote, “It is not those who hear the law that are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law, or in the language of James do the law, who will be declared righteous.” Now it is hardly only Christians who believe that people ought to do and not simply to hear.
    [Show full text]